In this post I will demonstrate how to make these modifications using PIWIS, and what changes I made to make my Boxster GTS feel more special.
Today’s modern cars rely heavily on software, and many features are coded in rather than purely hardware-based. However, when the 981 Boxster was designed around 2010 and launched in 2012, connected cars and over-the-air updates didn’t exist. If you wanted a feature, you had to specify it from the factory. That was mostly the case with this car, but Porsche has been strategic about sharing components, features, and software across models.
This car has a lot in common with the 981 Cayman and the contemporary 991 911. The way Porsche develops software allows these models to use some common coding and features. While my Boxster GTS had a relatively simple specification with a few additional options, it lacked some features, such as automatic rain-sensing wipers. Over the years, owners have discovered hidden software features in these cars, often with the help of independent experts. This video is a follow-up to my previous video, ‘Free Lunch with Porsche’, in which I successfully modified the power steering map and enabled the rear axle torque vectoring feature, but failed to activate the automatic wipers. Today, I’m back at PIE Performance in Suffolk to try the PIWIS system again.
PIWIS is a powerful tool and making the wrong changes can seriously affect the functionality of the car. While you can buy and use it yourself, I’d recommend working with an expert unless you’re confident in what you’re doing. Some of the menus, particularly in Engineering mode, are entirely in German, which can make navigation tricky. Today, I’m relying on the professionals to make sure everything is done correctly.
The PIWIS system connects to the car via the OBD port, connecting to a laptop where we can access various settings. We’ll start by coding the power steering map and enabling the puddle lights on the doors – features I’ve covered in separate videos. We’ll then move on to activating the automatic wipers and modifying the coolant temperature display value. These adjustments will allow the wipers to operate as expected and display the actual coolant temperature instead of a static, misleading reading.
After successfully encoding, I can now see the correct coolant temperature The temperature reads 96°C, having previously been locked at 90°C. The rain sensor has also been enabled, and I can now toggle it on or off via the menu selection. Everything is working as expected, and I’m happy with the results. Overall, this session at PIE Performance was very productive, and I’m excited to experience these updates on the road.
Now that I’m driving, I can confirm that all changes are working properly. The coolant temperature fluctuates naturally, showing an accurate reading. My steering adjustment feels great, and my door puddle lights now work properly. This is a successful round of coding, and I hope this post helps other 981 owners unlock similar features in their cars.